After Du Jianshan and Wang Tieniu finished dividing the goods, Wang Tieniu patted his chest happily and said:
"Brother, it's settled then! I'll go to the kitchen to prepare the ingredients first, and we'll cook after the performance tonight. I guarantee those two bastards will be drooling!"
Du Jianshan nodded with a smile: "Okay, go ahead and do it. Don't make it too simple tonight. We're having a good time today, so make sure there's plenty of meat!"
Wang Tieniu chuckled and said, "Don't worry, brother. When have I, Wang Tieniu, ever let you down?" With that, he happily carried his things and ran to the kitchen.
As soon as Wang Tieniu left, Du Jianshan tidied himself up, took out his old dark gray Lenin suit and put it on, then carefully combed his hair in front of the mirror and applied some hair oil that he had prepared in advance.
Looking at himself in the mirror, feeling refreshed, he grinned with satisfaction: "Hmm, much more energetic!"
After leaving the house, I hurried towards the threshing ground, bathed in the glow of the setting sun.
When Du Jianshan arrived at the scene, he saw that a temporary wooden platform had been set up in the center of the field. The area below the platform was already full of people from the Corps. Several elderly men and women occupied the front row seats and were looking longingly at the platform.
Aygul was already waiting at the agreed place, wearing a Uyghur-style embroidered dress, the hem of which swayed gently in the wind.
Upon seeing Du Jianshan, she waved sweetly, "Brother Du!"
Du Jianshan strode over, carrying a watermelon that had just been chilled from the well and several snacks: "Have you been waiting long?"
"No, I just arrived a little while ago!"
Aygul smiled and took the watermelon from his hand. "You're really generous, even bringing chilled watermelon?"
Du Jianshan raised an eyebrow and smiled: "Of course! We have to have some fun today!"
As he spoke, he took Aygul's hand and walked straight to the front row.
Company Commander Chen Jianshan had reserved the front row seats for them, and once they sat down, they had a wide view of the stage.
"Comrades, the performance is about to begin!"
As soon as the announcer finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted from the audience, and members of the performing arts troupe took to the stage one after another.
The program ran one after another, including the military song "I Am a Soldier" and the enthusiastic dance "Why Are the Flowers So Red" performed by Uyghur girls.
The stage lighting was not glamorous; only a few tall kerosene lamps and incandescent bulbs strung together with wires could barely illuminate the stage. However, the brightly colored ethnic costumes moved to the rhythm of the music, making them a sight to behold.
As soon as the intro started, the audience erupted in applause and whistles.
Especially when the Uyghur girls in red dresses and small flower hats twirled onto the stage, it caused a stir among the audience.
Skirts fluttered, flower hats swayed, and the girls swayed their wrists and moved with agility, as if they had truly brought the entire Gobi Desert to life with their dance.
Aygul watched with wide eyes, completely absorbed, clapping and cheering from time to time, immersed in the atmosphere.
Du Jianshan and Ayiguli watched intently, sometimes humming along, sometimes exchanging smiles, the atmosphere growing sweeter.
As he watched, Du Jianshan couldn't help but quietly take Ayiguli's small hand in his. Her cheeks flushed red, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she gently leaned on his shoulder.
Du Jianshan looked down at her shy appearance, his heart filled with sweetness, and boldly put his arm around her shoulder.
Aygul trembled slightly, her ears turned even redder, but a happy smile appeared on her face as she gently rested her head on his chest.
When the performance ended, both of them seemed reluctant to leave, and the applause from the audience lasted for a long time.
Du Jianshan suggested, "Shall we go for a walk in the poplar forest over there?"
"OK!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
